Rugby Academy

Information about the program.

The Fountain Gate Rugby Academy is lucky to be affiliated with the Melbourne Rebels Super Rugby team. It is used to develop both male and female rugby players and introduce the students to all forms of Rugby Union as well as giving students qualifications in, First Aid, Sport and Recreation and coaching. Students are able to see behind the scenes of a professional sports team as well as compete in multiple tournaments. Many of our students have gone on to represent Victoria State and Australia.

Qualifications

The Academy offers a Certificate II in Sports and Recreation in Year 10 which includes a valid two year First Aid Qualification. In Year 9 students gain the ARU Smart Rugby Coaching Qualification. In Year 11 and 12, students complete the Certificate III in Sports and Recreation.

Structure and Outcomes

Students improve overall fitness, strength and rugby skills. The program is run closely with the Melbourne Rebels and Vic Rugby. Students are provided with every opportunity to represent the state or gain entry to the Emerging Players Program run by the Melbourne Rebels (both males and females). Members of the Academy compete in multiple competitions throughout the year representing Fountain Gate Secondary College.

Pre-Academy Year 7 and 8:

Our Year 7 and 8 students have access to pre-academy fitness and skills training with the opportunity to play rugby for the school while improving their skills and fitness levels for their future Rugby endeavours. No experience necessary, these sessions are run weekly after school and are open to boys and girls. Students who take part in this program are looked at favourably when applying for a position in the Rugby Academy in Year 9.

Year 9:

Mixture of five hours of practical and theory sessions over a fortnight. Focus on improving all round rugby skills as well as fitness and nutrition.

Year 10:

One single period focused on completing the Certificate II in Sports and Recreation and one to two practical periods focused on fitness, rugby skills and coaching per week.

Year 11:

The first year of the two year course in Certificate III Sports and Recreation. Eight hours per fortnight with focus on completing Unit 1 and 2 of the Cert III as well as improving rugby skills, strength and gym training.

Year 12:

Unit 3 and 4 and final (scored) year of Certificate III Sports and Recreation with a Rugby Union focus. Elite final level of the academy where pathways for the future are investigated. We have opportunities for work programs with the Melbourne Rebels after school due to our strong partnership with them

Three champion teams from Fountain Gate Secondary College at the 2018 Xavier Sevens.

High Level Coaching and Mentoring:

Pom Simona - Rugby VicBrendan Whelan - Rugby Vic

FGSC Rugby Academy has an official partnership with the Melbourne Rebels Rugby Club and Rugby Victoria. As part of this partnership, Fountain Gate Rugby students have access to high level training from Pom Simona (Elite Youth Coach for Rugby Victoria and Assistant Melbourne Rising Coach) and Brendan Whelan (strength and conditioning coach for the Melbourne Rebels and Australian Woman's Rugby Team 'The Wallaroos)..

Brendan Whelan

Athletic Performance Coordinator - Elite Youth Development

Irishman Brendan Whelan joins the Elite Youth Development after spending the previous 3 seasons working with the Melbourne Rebels Super Rugby team as Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach. Prior to that, Brendan spent six years as the Strength & Conditioning Coach for Rugby Victoria's Elite Pathways programs, firstly on a volunteer basis and then as a part-time employee.

Brendan will lead the Performance areas for all Pathway programs including the designing, implementing, conducting, and monitoring sports performance and medical areas of the pathway programs programmes.

Pom Simona

Elite Youth School Academy Coach

Pom Simona has had an extensive playing career in New Zealand and Ireland, and more recently with the club rugby here in Melbourne and Melbourne Rising.

Pom has recently transitioned from playing into coaching, working as an assistant coach with the Melbourne Rebels U20’s in 2016 and 2017 and being named assistant coach to the Melbourne Rising coaching team in 2017. Pom is a current Level 2 Coach and brings with a wealth of knowledge to the role.

The entire Rugby Academy is overseen by Fountain Gate Secondary College Director of Rugby Mr Jimmy Orange who started the Academy in 2015.

Academy Gallery

In the High Achiever program I have been able to develop my learning skills and achieve goals I once never thought possible.

Jessica Gronhert - Year 7 College DUX

Fountain Gate Secondary College's High Achiever's Program has really aided me in achieving success during high school. A more mature and dynamic class environment really helped me learn and grow during high school.

Jessica Nikitina-Li - Year 12 School Captain

Advice for FGSC students: “You only live once so take every opportunity that comes your way, be determined.”

Hayden Reid - 2014

Stacey Walsh - 2012

Being a part of HAP for the past three years at FGSC has been something that I have always enjoyed and felt privileged to be a part of because it has provided me with an engaging academic environment by setting goals and challenges for both my peers and I.

Ngoc Tran - Year 9 School Year Level Captain

The High Achievers Program allows a brighter future and clear career path for my peers and myself. It has extended me to be able to succeed in multiple areas of study. We have been able to create a strong classroom environment where it is easy to learn, focus and make friends.

Charlotte Mager - Year 8 HAP Student

Advice for FGSC students: “Work hard and dream big. Have faith in everything that happens for good – you may not realise it now but you will later on.”

Bariah Ahmad - 2016

Emma Berry - 2012

The High Achiever Program gives me and others the opportunity to excel. The work is interesting and catered to my learning. I feel that the program is preparing me for my future and will give me an upper hand to VCE.

Tony Van - Year 8 College DUX

I enjoy being challenged by my teachers to strive and accomplish more. I enjoy making friends in that class and having a better workspace without interruptions. I also like having work that is suited to my ability and interest.